On This Day

Mary, Queen of Scots (15) marries French dauphin Francis (14) at Notre Dame cathedral in Paris

Mary, Queen of Scots (8 December 1542 – 8 February 1587), also known as Mary Stuart or Mary I of Scotland, was Queen of Scotland from 14 December 1542 until her forced abdication on 24 July 1567. The…

Mary, Queen of Scots (8 December 1542 – 8 February 1587), also known as Mary Stuart or Mary I of Scotland, was Queen of Scotland from 14 December 1542 until her forced abdication on 24 July 1567.

The only surviving legitimate child of James V of Scotland, Mary was six days old when her father died and she inherited the throne. During her childhood, Scotland was governed by regents, first by the heir to the throne, James Hamilton, Earl of Arran, and then by her mother, Mary of Guise. In 1548, she was betrothed to Francis, the Dauphin of France, and was sent to be brought up in France, where she would be safe from invading English forces during the Rough Wooing. Mary married Francis in 1558, becoming queen consort of France from his accession in 1559 until his death in December 1560.

Historical Significance

Mary, Queen of Scots (8 December 1542 – 8 February 1587), also known as Mary Stuart or Mary I of Scotland, was Queen of Scotland from 14 December 1542 until her forced abdication on 24 July 1567.

Key People

Mary, Queen of Scots

Queen of Scotland from 1542 to 1567

Queen of Scotland from 1542 to 1567

Events Before

  1. Osep Gregoriwich Napea, the 1st Russian ambassador to England, arrives in London

    Osep Gregoriwich Napea, the 1st Russian ambassador to England, arrives in London

  2. Cuenca is founded in Ecuador

    Cuenca, officially Santa Ana de los Ríos de Cuenca, is an Ecuadorian city, head of the canton of the same name and capital of the province of Azuay, as well as its largest and most populated city.

  3. England declares war on France

    England declares war on France

  4. Dutch States General meet at Valenciennes

    Dutch States General meet at Valenciennes

  5. Battle of St Quentin in Picardy: Lamoraal, Count of Egmont and Philibert, Duke of Savoy (Spanish Empire) beat the Duke o

    Battle of St Quentin in Picardy: Lamoraal, Count of Egmont and Philibert, Duke of Savoy (Spanish Empire) beat the Duke of Montmorency (France)

Events After

  1. Elizabeth I is crowned Queen of England at Westminster Abbey in London

    Westminster Abbey, formally titled the Collegiate Church of Saint Peter at Westminster, is an Anglican church in the City of Westminster, London, England.

  2. Storm floods ravage Gorinchem, Dordrecht & Woudrichem, Netherlands

    Storm floods ravage Gorinchem, Dordrecht & Woudrichem, Netherlands

  3. England and France sign the first Treaty of Le Cateau-Cambrésis

    England and France sign the first Treaty of Le Cateau-Cambrésis

  4. Spain & France sign 2nd Treaty of Le Cateau-Cambrésis

    Spain & France sign 2nd Treaty of Le Cateau-Cambrésis

  5. Scottish Protestants under John Knox uprise against queen mother Mary

    Scottish Protestants under John Knox uprise against queen mother Mary

More from the 1550s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on April 24, 1558?
Mary, Queen of Scots (8 December 1542 – 8 February 1587), also known as Mary Stuart or Mary I of Scotland, was Queen of Scotland from 14 December 1542 until her forced abdication on 24 July 1567. The only surviving legitimate child of James V of Scotland, Mary was six days old when her father died and she inherited the throne. During her childhood, Scotland was governed by regents, first by the heir to the throne, James Hamilton, Earl of Arran, and then by her mother, Mary of Guise.
Why is Mary, Queen of Scots (15) marries French dauphin Francis (14) at Notre Dame c... significant?
Mary, Queen of Scots (8 December 1542 – 8 February 1587), also known as Mary Stuart or Mary I of Scotland, was Queen of Scotland from 14 December 1542 until her forced abdication on 24 July 1567.
Who was involved in Mary, Queen of Scots (15) marries French dauphin Francis (14) at Notre Dame c...?
Key figures include Mary, Queen of Scots (Queen of Scotland from 1542 to 1567).

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